From press release:
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (August 12, 2014) – The American Red Cross continues to have an urgent need for blood and platelet donations, even as thousands of people answered the urgent call to donate last month.
Through the end of July, the Red Cross saw an increase of approximately 7.5 percent in the number of donors coming to give blood, resulting in more than 11,800 additional donations beyond what was anticipated. Despite the increase, blood products are currently being distributed to hospitals as quickly as donations are coming in, maintaining the urgent need.
While overall donations increased last month, donations in the local Carolinas Blood Services Region fell short of expectations by 1,719 pints. To prevent a shortage and ensure an adequate blood supply for patients the rest of the summer, the Red Cross especially needs platelet donors and those with types O negative, B negative and A negative blood.
“The Red Cross is grateful for those who stepped up to give this lifesaving gift and reminds eligible donors that hospital patients are still counting on them to roll up a sleeve,” said Sharon Pitt, CEO for the Red Cross Carolinas Blood Service Region. “As summer draws to a close, you still have the chance to give hope to patients in need.”
Upcoming blood donation opportunities by county, Aug. 16 – Sept. 1:
Avery
Linville
Aug. 20 from noon to 4:30 p.m. at Linville Land Harbor, 22 Land Harbor Plaza
Buncombe
Arden
Aug. 31 from noon to 4:30 p.m. at Lowe’s 2201 Arden, 19 McKenna Road
Asheville
Aug. 19 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Buncombe County Employees Administration Building, 200 College St.
Aug. 21 from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at University of N.C. to Asheville to Highsmith Student Center, 1 University Heights
Aug. 29 from 7:30 a.m. to noon Rueter Family YMCA, 3 Town Square Blvd.
Sept. 1 from noon to 4:30 p.m. at Lowe’s of West Asheville #0526, 95 Smokey Park Highway
Candler
Aug. 21 from 1 to 5:30 p.m. at Francis Asbury UMC Gym, 725 Asbury Road
Weaverville
Aug. 31 from noon to 4:30 p.m. at Lowe’s 2634, 24 North Ridge Commons Parkway
Cherokee
Andrews
Aug. 18 from 1:30 to 6 p.m. at Andrews United Methodist Church, 101 Chestnut St.
Greene (Tenn.)
Greeneville
Aug. 25 from 1:15 to 5:45 p.m. at Shear Talent Hair Salon, 429 E. Bernard Ave.
Haywood
Waynesville
Aug. 18 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Best Buy of Waynesville, 45 Plaza Place
Aug. 25 from noon to 4:30 p.m. at Masonic Lodge Waynesville, East Marshall St.
Henderson
Flat Rock
Aug. 27 from 1 to 5:30 p.m. at Kenmure Country Club, 100 Clubhouse Drive
Aug. 28 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Blue Ridge Conference Hall, 180 West Campus Drive
Hendersonville
Aug. 18 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at American Red Cross, 203 2nd Ave. East
Aug. 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lowe’s of Hendersonville, 1415 7th Ave. East
Jackson
Cullowhee
Aug. 26 from noon to 4:30 p.m. at Western Carolina UniversitytoHealth and Human Science Building, Highway 107
Aug. 27 from noon to 4:30 p.m. at Western Carolina UniversitytoHealth and Human Science Building, Highway 107
Aug. 27 from noon to 5:30 p.m. at Western Carolina University Hinds University Center, Highway 107
Aug. 28 from noon to 5:30 p.m. at Western Carolina University Hinds University Center, Highway 107
Madison
Marshall
Aug. 26 from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at AB Tech Madison, 4646 U.S. Highway 25-70
McDowell
Marion
Aug. 20 from 1:30 to 6 p.m. at Marion Community Building, 99 North Main St.
Aug. 25 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at McDowell Hospital, 430 Rankin Drive
Aug. 30 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Marion Moose Lodge, 999 Bill Cook Drive
Old Fort
Aug. 26 from 1:30 to 6 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 203 East Main St.
Mitchell
Spruce Pine
Aug. 25 from 1:30 to 6 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Spruce Pine, First Baptist Church of Spruce Pine 125 Tappan St.
Rutherford
Cliffside
Aug. 16 from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Cliffside Masonic Lodge, Old Main St.
Spartanburg (S.C.)
Moore
Aug. 24 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Bethlehem Baptist Church, 797 Old Georgia Road
Swain
Bryson City
Aug. 21 from 1 to 5:30 p.m. at Victory Baptist Church, 2175 Fontana Road
Towns (Ga.)
Young Harris
Aug. 20 from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Myers Student Center, College St.
Transylvania
Brevard
Aug. 18 from noon to 5 p.m. at Sacred Heart Parish, 4 Brian Berg Lane
Aug. 23 from 7:30 a.m. to noon First United Methodist Church, 325 N. Broad St.
Aug. 25 from 1:30 to 6 p.m. at Brevard Community Church, 417 Morris Road
Washington (Tenn.)
Johnson City
Aug. 21 from 2 to 7 p.m. at Happy Valley Church of Jesus Christ, 2733 Elizabethton Highway
Aug. 24 from 12:30 to 5 p.m. at Rotary Park, 201 E. Market St.
Aug. 26 from 9:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at Washington County Health Department, 219 Princeton Road
Telford
Aug. 17 from noon to 4:30 p.m. at Grace Brethren Church, 3337 Highway 11E
Yancey
Burnsville
Aug. 19 from 1 to 5:30 p.m. at Higgins Memorial Methodist Church, 101 N. Main St.
Donation Centers
Asheville Blood Donation Center, 100 Edgewood Road, Asheville, N.C. 28804
Blood donation hours
Monday: 12:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday: 2 – 7 p.m.
Wednesday: 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Thursday: 2 – 7 p.m.
First Saturday of the month: 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Platelet donation hours
Monday: 9:30 a.m. – 5:45 p.m.
Tuesday: 9 a.m. – 5:15 p.m.
Thursday: 9 a.m. – 5:15 p.m.
Friday: 7 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Saturday: 7 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Sunday: 7 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Tuesday: 2 – 7 p.m.
Wednesday: 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Thursday: 2 – 7 p.m.
First Saturday of the month: 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Platelet donation hours
Monday: 9:30 a.m. – 5:45 p.m.
Tuesday: 9 a.m. – 5:15 p.m.
Thursday: 9 a.m. – 5:15 p.m.
Friday: 7 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Saturday: 7 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Sunday: 7 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Johnson City Blood Donation Center, 818 Sunset Drive, #100, Johnson City, Tenn. 37604
Blood donation hours
Tuesday: 2:30 – 7 p.m.
Wednesday: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Third Saturday of the month: 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Tuesday: 2:30 – 7 p.m.
Wednesday: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Third Saturday of the month: 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
How to donate blood
Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
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